AVB Addresses Reports Over Bale Unrest

Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that Gareth Bale suffered from difficulties in his last season with Tottenham, but insists the winger finished the season feeling happy with both his own performances and his place in the club.

Bale is currently the subject of a great deal of interest from Real Madrid and the Spanish giants have said they will pay any price for the man who took out the PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year awards.

While reports were widely circulating yesterday that Bale would politely request a move from Daniel Levy, Villas-Boas has argued that the opposite is true and that the star wants to stay at the club despite feeling uncomfortable at times at White Hart Lane last season.

"The chairman said that we are not open to offers, whatever they are, and that the player will stay," he told Portuguese newspaper O Jogo. "In football anything can happen, but these are the guarantees given to me.

"There was a moment last season when Gareth came to me because he was not comfortable out on the pitch.

"I do not know if it was my response or that he was glad to relieve the stress, but after that he became confident and played with freedom.

"He felt important and finished the year in style."

Villas-Boas will be as hopeful as Tottenham fans that he can keep hold of his most prized possession. Bale's 26 goals last season kept Spurs in the fight for a top four finish until the final game of the season and he has received worldwide acclaim for his performances for the north London side.

With ambitions to finish above Arsenal for the first time since 1995, along with qualifying for the Champions League once more, Bale will be a much needed part of the puzzle for the side who are looking to spend big this summer.

However, it is unlikely the 23 year old would stay at Tottenham for much longer if the side can't offer Champions League football in the future and he is currently keeping quiet over whether he will be patient with them for another season.